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YOUNG people taking part in the popular urban sport of Freerunning have been told it will “no longer be tolerated” in a Wirral town. In letters and leaflets distributed around Moreton, the council is effectively banning the sport because of “anti-social behaviour and damage to public buildings”. The sport, also known as Parkour, involves jumping off buildings, leaping walls and using obstacles such as rocks, rails and concrete walls, to get around. But last night the move was described as “heavy-handed” by Maxine Ilabaca, whose son, Daniel, has achieved international success in the sport.

She said: “The whole ethos of Freerunning is respect for people, and this shows a complete misconception of what it is about.” Mrs Ilabaca and her son have been involved in setting up summer workshops in the sport, as well as safer practice for Freerunners. She said a handful of people may have caused some problems, but that it was unfair to ban the sport for all others. The letter, signed by manager of Wirral Council’s anti-social behaviour team, Caroline Laing, and local police inspector Peter Kolokotroni, said: “Unfortunately, the activity in Moreton has involved prolonged anti-social behaviour and damage to property and caused distress to many local residents.”

The leaflet, which has also been sent out, added that, if it continues, Moreton could be designated a Dispersal Area, which would give the police the power to disperse groups and exclude individuals from the area for up to 24 hours, and that repeated anti-social behaviour could lead to those involved receiving ASBOs. Local councillor Chris Blakeley said there were some in the area who had responded to the authorities’ efforts to find an acceptable location for those engaged in the sport, including Daniel Ilabaca. But he said: “There is a small group who have been causing havoc, using council buildings such as the library and the church. The police have been trying to engage with these kids, but they do not seem to want to play along.

The report ITV's Granada News did on the current 'ban' on Parkour in Moreton

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